What will your legacy be?

By Rogelio Landa and Aiyana Holman

Photo by Aiyana Holman Students present proposals to a panel of William Penn teachers Feb. 25. 

Writing a five paragraph essay paper about problems within the community doesn’t allow you to be creative and make a difference. To physically help mold something that you care about makes a valuable impact. Senior students have the opportunity to change the future by starting chain reaction with their Senior Legacy Project.

Senior Mercedez Robinson and Sydney Phelps Senior legacy project is called “Faith in Photos.” They are taking 50 cancer patients and survivor families to a picnic at battery park. She is also going to take their picture and mail two pictures to each of the families with a handwritten letter. She wants to do this to “help them keep their faith throughout surviving cancer.”

Phase one: Students have to think about three concerns that they would want to unravel and research. Could it be discrimination against race, age, sex, or religion? Or maybe a standard of thing, for example, the poverty rate and access to healthcare which contribute to life expectancy.

Photo Rogelio Landa A senior student gives a presentation to Mr. Erikson, Ms. Lindeke, and Ms. Pfotzer. 

“This project gives others information on problems in the community they didn’t have knowledge of before it also helps gives seniors like me experience in creating a proposal and action plan for something we would like to see change in our community,” mentioned senior Malik Hines.

Once the student construct solutions, students  move on to phase two. The proposal is when they have to take their  solution and present them in front a board of teachers; this determines whether or not if the proposal is fit to become a legacy.

Senior Selena Ayala said, “It would helps us focus on other third world problems or problems here in america like gun violence, teen pregnancy, and drugs. It gives more knowledge on how to prevent those things to tell them what not to do. The senior legacy project also expands your mind.” Senior teachers included Ms. Lindeke and Ms. Pfotzer.

Penn Celebrates National Signing Day

By Chase Chandler and Tyler Clemens

Photo by Tyler Clemens William Penn football coaches pose with senior Titus Nelson before he signed with Lackawana College Feb. 3. 

The William Penn family celebrated four student athletes on February 3rd.  These athletes had the moment of their lives when they signed letters of intent to play college football. Frank Burton signed with Ball State University; Chigozirim “Chi Chi” Amachi, the University of Delaware; Titus Nelson, Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania; and Elijah Lewis with the University of New Hampshire.

The William Penn football program has benefited from these young men and their respective colleges are hoping to benefit from them, too.

Football coach Marvin Dooley was very excited that four of his players were going on to play college football. He said, “ I am very happy for them and proud of how well they have have matured over these years.”

Burton  said that he is excited to experience new surroundings and start his own legacy. On the other hand, Amachi stated he is excited to play football at the University of Delaware and play in front of his family and friends on his home stage..

Ms. Periales, athletic director for William Penn said, “The last three years, these players have been a part of a championship run and have accomplished it once out of those three, so these high school experiences will prepare them for playing at the next level”. She also wished these men the best of luck and said she hopes that they “find their groove” and succeed at the next level.
There will be another signing day later in the year as there are still some athletes who have not decided which college they will sign with. The date of the next signing day will be announced at a later date.

Accepting All Colonials

By Kimberly Cushwa

On March 2, 2016 the William Penn Colonials will be teaming up with Project UNIFY to host a school-wide Day of Respect and Acceptance. This day is being held to promote the acceptance of all students at WPHS no matter how different. Project Unify is a branch off of the Special Olympics, an education and sports based organization dedicated to helping special needs children, teens, and adults be able to have the same experiences as others their age.

Each year this Day of Respect and Acceptance is held to encourage these full functioning students to pledge to accept all for who they are and to “Spread the Word to End the Word,” a national campaign started in 2009 by youth leaders to end the derogatory use of the word retarded. William Penn has been hosting this event here at the school for five years.

This year students who purchased an event shirt from Ms. Buzby will wear it on March 2. In addition, all students are welcome to sign the banners placed outside each of the lunchrooms as a way to pledge their support to this cause.

This event is not just limited to William Penn. Kylie Frazer, the Delaware representative for Project UNIFY, stated, “There are over 115 schools ranging from early childhood centers to universities from across the state participating in the event this year.”

Those students who wish to continue in assisting this spread of acceptance are able to log on to www.sode.org to find volunteer opportunities and more information on Special Olympics Delaware.

William Penn Welcomes First Student to Faculty Band

By Lesliann Boucher and Stephanie Castillo

Since she was ten Emily Arias-Topia  has been playing the bass guitar. This year, she decided to bring her love of music to William Penn. Arias-Topia is the only student to join the faculty band.

“The way I started getting involved in the band was pretty simple. I told Mr. Lusch that I play bass and guitar as a hobby and one day he came to me and asked if I wanted to join their band because their bassist had retired, I said yes on the spot.”

   Arias-Topia was definitely eager to begin putting her talent to work, and so were the members of the band. Initially, Tim Hein who teaches ninth grade AP Human geography and a 12th grade World History expressed his concerns, “We were a little worried we were gonna have to help her a lot along the way, but Emily doesn’t need any help with what she’s doing, so it’s actually a pleasant surprise.”

Emily shared that she has learned lot by being in the band every practice. Mr. Hein has been her role model, because he has released his own EP, he plays the guitar and sings for the band as well as outside of the school environment.

  Their most recent performance was for the Penn Prom Fashion/Talent show. Emily said she was especially confident when they performed a song by The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army.” She said, “By the time Seven Nation Army came up, I just let myself go which was one of the best feelings a musician can get while performing.”

Mr. Hein revealed his next performance will be sometime in May or June for the John G.Leach School.

 

William Penn Counselor Recognized For Dedication

By Nahja Fassett, Satara King, and Derioushe Johnson

Photo by Nahja Fassett Junior Diamond Crumpler poses with counselor Loveita Moffett.

One of William Penn’s very own won the high school counselor of the year award for the state of Delaware.Loveita Moffett received the award February 1st.

Her motive for becoming a counselor was to make a difference. Moffett stated, “When I was in highschool, I went to William Penn and my counselor helped me a lot, especially senior year. I was the youngest of 5 children and no one went college. My counselor applied me for college but I didn’t know anything about it. I wanted to be a tree hugger, but then I changed my major two years later. ”

Moffett not only changed her major, but she also realized she wanted to be in the field of helping students. Moffett stated, “I grew up in this community and I care a lot about New Castle and William Penn specifically. I spent all my life but four years here, it is very important to me that our students find success and have the help of assistance.”

Moffett was honored to receive such an award. She said, “I was surprised I wasn’t expecting it. Ms.young heard my name and screamed. I was shocked she didn’t understand why they said my name. I didn’t know what the award was. I mean…I knew I was nominated but I didn’t know what I was nominated for. So it was very astonishing.”

A former student, who is now a teacher at William Penn, Daniel Becker gave details on why he thinks Moffett is good at her job. He stated, “She cares a lot about her students and commits her energy into helping students to realize their potential.”

Becker also mentioned the support Moffett provides for others in the building ”She is dedicated to the community,the school, her colleagues, and students.She bends over backwards to help everyone,” stated Becker.

He added, “Mrs.Moffet deserves counselor of the year because of the success of her former students. Someone with a list of successful students deserve recognition.”

One of the keys to Moffett’s successful students is motivation. A current student, junior Diamond Crumpler, stated, “She stays on your case and pushes you. Basically, she motivates. For example, if I don’t pick up the pace she will call me down and say, ‘You have to make up this and do that.’ Then she would print out my grades for a reminder to keep me on track.”

Another key to her success in Crumpler’s opinion is encouragement. Crumpler stated, “She knows I try. Even though I don’t get the best grades she encourages me to do better.”

Thanks to Mrs.Moffett she is what makes William Penn the school it is today, with the spread of encouragement and motivation.

Colonials Take Down The Competition

 

By Kevin Martinez and Cairo Chambers

Photo by Cairo Chambers William Penn junior Luis Rodriguez wrestled against Jordan Washam in the 160 lb. weight class for third place February 20. 

On February 20, William Penn 132 weight class junior Ryan Juarez-Robertson, 160 weight class junior Luis Rodriguez, 182 weight class senior Dequan Twyman, and 285 weight class senior Brandon Dooley won their matches at the Blue Hen Conference tournament, helping William Penn win the entire tournament on Saturday.

For this 2015-16 wrestling season, William Penn has a 10-3 record. 

Despite, the loss in the last wrestling match against Sussex Central High School, they overcame that by taking first place in the Blue Hen Conference wrestling tournament.

Rodriguez said, “It wasn’t the easiest tournament, but it was probably one of the most memorable. As a team, I think we wrestled great. We ended up taking first place as a team overall.
The top 6 place finishers in the Blue Hen conference and top 4 place in the Independent conference advanced to compete 22-23 teams on February 26-27 in the DIAA Individual state wrestling tournament at Cape Henlopen High School.

A Shot at Success with Breakfast Basketball Club

By Jaden Reed and Geman Browne

Photo by Jaden Reed Students play 5-on-5 basketball during the Basketball Breakfast Club meeting Feb. 20. 

Every Saturday there is a club where students from William Penn play basketball from 8:30 – 10:00 am. Credit Recovery teacher Mr.Calvin Griffin  the founder of the program, said that he made the program because of the students that couldn’t participate in after school sports. Mr.Griffin runs the program by himself through Communities in Schools.

He said, “Looking at the stats in school, I’ve seen that a lot of kids were late to class, absent, and their grades were too low for them to participate in after- school sport.  And I wanted kids to have the opportunity to play basketball so I decided to do that.”

Ten to 14 students come each week but Mr.Griffin’s ultimate goal is to make a basketball league.In order to participate they can’t be late to class the whole week, can’t be absent and grades must improve.

Junior Waikeem Clemons rated the program a 10. He said, “It’s fun and I always tell my  friends to come each week and it just a good time.”

Teachers are allowed to come, but none have showed up. Mr.Griffin also is working on the breakfast part, but for now there isn’t breakfast

New Spices Added to the Mix

Photo by Aiyana Holman Penn Bistro’s tacos pictured are served with a side of rice. The tacos were one of the most popular items on the menu. 

By Aiyana Holman

Have you ever heard of Acorda a Alentegana? What about Gambas al Ajillo? If so you know you’re in for a special treat. The William Penn Bistro struck gold once again. The new menu features Central/South American food, and was launched three weeks ago.  

“We are working on global cuisine in our curriculum. We realized we always do Mexico as our Spanish food so we all decided to do South American as a class,” said senior Brent Hillard.  The Steak & Chorizo Empanadas was one of the more popular foods , chorizo is pork sausage highly seasoned especially with chili powder and garlic.

The next menu is South/Central American dessert. One item is Suspiro Limeno-Creamy “a manjar blanco carel base topped with a huge dollop of italian meringue with port and cinnamon.” You might also emjoy Chaji, which starts from base and peaches.

Colonial Basketball Defeats the Hawks

By Satara King and Rogelio Landa

Colonials took the win against St. Georges Tech High School, their 10th home game  With this win, the boys improved to an overall record of 11 and 1.

“The keys to the games were the we play really good team defense and showing good offence with fundamental play,” Coach Christensen said.

Three seniors, Malik Hines, Danny Walsh, and Calleem Hucks, worked as a unit to make sure that they had their 11th win. This will be one of the team’s best seasons because of their teamwork and extra effort to make it to state.

“The 1st quarter was bad with a score of 5-8, second- 12-14, third- 18-20, fourth-28-26 and then we went to overtime,“ junior Jermal Crumel said.

William Penn students said they were excited of this game. “St. George’s has a ton of tall players. It was like David versus Golliath. The game was like neck-and-neck the whole time and was exciting because we beat the third team in the state,” said junior Tamia Davis.

Senior Danny Walsh added, ”It was a big improvement from the start and we really grew from the beginning.”

Since that game the Colonials have beat AI Dupont and Concord. They will play their next game February 6 against Medford Tech.